Shopping for Health Insurance often requires the assistance of an expert.

As more people to begin shopping for insurance online, it is often better to work with a professional health insurance agent or broker that can provide the expertise you need to make the right choices.

They are experts who:

• know the market—by distinguishing the best products from the merely adequate
• know the law—by reviewing state and federal legislation and regulations that impact the sale of health insurance products
• know the industry—by completing stringent licensing requirements and continuing education courses

Your health insurance agent will help you:

• review your unique needs
• learn about different insurance companies and types of coverage that can satisfy your specific concerns
• ease the burden on your time by doing the "legwork" for you
• get the most from your coverage after you've bought it

Independent agents and brokers work for you--not any one insurance company. This ensures that your ongoing needs are their priority.To receive a free health insurance quote sent to you, click here

New Health Plans for California

Anthem Blue Cross has introduced two new healthcare plans to the California marketplace. These products offer additional choices to individuals and families searching for cost efficient strategies for healthcare.

CoreGuard - Effective January 1, 2010

Simple Plan Design with 7 Deductible Options and Lower Premium with Higher Cost Share.

These plans are for clients who take advantage of Anthem Blue Cross’ vast Network of doctors, facilities and centers, this plan offers significant savings through negotiated rates. Members pay 50% of the negotiated rate for most covered services – CoreGuard offers security and protection. For those families that can afford more out of pocket expense on the front end and want the comfort of full coverage in case of a catastrophic event – this plan may be the perfect solution.

CoreGuard delivers a pharmacy benefit that will truly protect. Tier one includes $15.00 co-pays on low cost generic and brand name prescriptions with no deductible. After a $2000 deductible, Tier 2 covers preferred brands for a $35.00 co-pay and Specialty drugs with a 25% coinsurance.

The newest plan available February 1st, 2009 is ClearProtection.

Plan Highlights include benefits clients can count on from day one:

> First 2 office visits are covered before the deductible
> Clients receive our negotiated rates while meeting their deductibles
> Access to our discounted network rates, before meeting the deductible

Once the out-of-pocket maximum is met, clients are covered (in-network only) for most services including:

> outpatient care
> preventive care
> professional services (labs, X-rays, anesthesia)
> $15 copayment for generic drugs and brand drug coverage after brand deductible

For more information regarding these plans, or to receive an instant health insurance quote, visit http://www.quotebroker.com/

How to buy Health Insurance without an Agent

You to can buy quality health insurance online without an insurance agent or broker.  No more sales jibber. Follow this step by step guide on how to select the lowest priced health insurance plan online.

Within minutes you can shop for individual health insurance, family health insurance or group health insurance. This insurance insider gives advice to obtaining free health insurance quotes online and provides a step by step tutorial at:

 

http://www.squidoo.com/cheap_health_insurance_without_an_agent

Health reform bills allow insurers to charge older people more.

Health reform bills allow insurers to charge older people more.

The Los Angeles Times (11/9, Oliphant) reports that "the far-reaching clampdown on insurers" in the health reform bills "leaves one highly controversial element untouched: the issue of charging higher premiums to older policyholders than to younger, presumably healthier consumers who are less likely to file costly claims." Both the House and Senate bills allow insurers "to charge middle-aged consumers at least twice as much as they do younger customers. And depending on the ultimate language of the Senate bill, insurers could be allowed to demand four or five times as much." While "advocates for older Americans argue that age rating amounts to discrimination," the "insurance industry argues that age rating is necessary to make coverage affordable for younger people, whose participation in the system is critical to keeping the overall costs of insurance down for everyone."

As Healthcare reform makes it's way through the House and Senate, online insurance quoting traffic is increasing. QuoteBroker.com reports that insurance companies continue to change public plan options and new plans are being introduced monthy, compared to annually, before Heathcare Reform was introduced earlier this year. QuoteBroker.com provides individual health insurance, family health insurance and business employee benefits; allowing customers to use their free online health insurance quoting tools. With this system you can instantly shop insurance companies insurance premiums, benefits and apply online for coverage.

Keep informed and bookmark this link for more information or to compare health coverage options.

Cigna now offers Individual Health Insurance

Cigna begins offering Individual Health insurance in California November 1st, 2009.

Cigna is well known for their group and business insurance throughout the United States, however in response to the nations push for Healthcare Reform, Cigna enters a competitive California insurance marketplace. Cigna's new products are straight forward and easy to understand, focusing on preventive care with low doctor co-pays, as well as minimal out of pocket expenses for a more serious medical/accident condition.

Cigna individual health insurance quotes are available online. Compare plan features and rates today.

Guaranteed Issue Health Insurance

Many people are unable to find quality health insurance. For some it is the cost, while for others it is due to pre-existing conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of a heart attack, stroke, cancer and obesity are just some of the pre-existing conditions that prevent several million Americans each year from obtaining health insurance. Without quality health insurance, a medical emergency could turn into a financial disaster.

AIM High Risk Medical Insurance provides consumers with valuable at an affordable price.

•Is guaranteed issue and guaranteed renewable
•Pays for doctors and hospitals
•Has no deductible
•Covers you both in and out of the hospital
•Includes out-patient surgery benefits
•Covers pre-existing conditions after one year
•Includes life insurance
•Provides accident benefits

Quotebroker.com offers affordable health insurance plans for all individuals. Use the same tools industry insiders use to shop the marketplace, compare plans and premiums. The service is free and takes less than 5 minutes.

Politics and Your Health Insurance Premiums

With California facing a budget deficit of more than $15 billion dollars, the Governor is calling for tougher Medi-Cal eligibility requirements and reduced rates paid to your healthcare providers. You might ask, "how does this affect me"?

Any changes that leave more California residents without health insurance coverage, will require providers to make up this financial short fall by charging individuals with health insurance coverage more for rendered services. In turn, the insurance companies will pass these increases to you - the consumer.

California already has over 6 million uninsured people, not including the millions that are under insured. Published reports suggest that the Governor's cut-backs will result in an additional 1 million uninsured, resulting in an estimated annual premium increase of $290 per family to cover the new uninsured.

We recommend periodically shopping for new health insurance several times a year. New affordable health insurance plans are constantly being introduced into the marketplace and there seenms to always be a "flavor of the month". In today's marketplace Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna and Blue Shield offer some of the best health plans for the money. Next year it might be someone else. Shop online and keep current of new rates being introduced.

Health Insurance Premiums - What insurance carriers don't tell you.

A Northern California newspaper reported today that insurance companies are indicating that their average 2008 health insurance premiums will increase on average 10%.

We disagree. Although statistically this may be accurate, the truth is that our office has seen rates in California and Texas averaging 20-27% this year. One national Health provider has sent a number of our clients premium increases of 40-65%. Most increases will become effective in July (for new business) or at the policyholders 6 month anniversary or 1 year anniversary.

What you are not hearing from the insurance industry is that these future rate increases do not include age increases or policy age banding changes. The most common method of age banding is to have a single rate for individuals between age 35-40, etc. This year a number of insurance companies have eliminated "age banding" and are now charging a tier rate, meaning you will receive age change increases, at birthday 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40. Insurance providers are also charging higher rates for women, a perfectly legal practice, as their actuarial staff supports these increased rates with a higher utilization of services and more medical conditions.

What should you do?

First, start with running an instant health insurance quote online two to four times a year. Online brokers have the most up to date rates and you can compare your policy against other companies best plans available in your state. It takes less than 5 minutes.

With this information, plan a potential exit strategy if your premium rates become unaffordable. Insurance companies usually notify you in advance of their intention to increase premiums. If you decide to switch carriers, you should have ample time to apply and be approved with a new company prior to receiving any actual rate changes. This policy is also good to avoid any potential gap in coverage. Another tactic is to change plans within your current health insurance companies product portfolio. This is valuable if you have on going medical conditions or serious pre-existing conditions.

Take time to design a health insurance program that meets your family or businesses needs. This is a serious financial commitment, especially if you select the wrong plan. For more information contact Quotebroker.